Sprinkler flushing system and fitting



23, 1962 F. c. HEBEZRT SPRINKLER FLUSHING SYSTEM AND FITTING Filed June 1, 1959 IN V EN TOR.

United States Patent Ofifice 3,059,702 Patented Oct. 23, 1962 3,059,702 SPRINKLER FLUSHHNG SYSTEM AND FITTING Fred C. Hebert, 400 N. Main St, Romeo, Mich. Filed June 1, 1959, Ser. No. 817,374 Claims. (Cl. 169-47) The present invention relates to an Improved flushing system for an overhead sprinkler installation for fire protection in a plant or other building, by which the sprinkler main conduit and branch conduits or lines may be quickly and easily flushed to rid the same of foreign matter tending to obstruct flow therein; and to an improved adjustable fitting as a component of such system or installation, by which flushing may be carried out as desired at various locations in which heat-fusible type sprinkler heads are applied.

It is an object of the invention to provide a simplified system for the foregoing purposes, which comprises individual fittings applied to the main header and branch conduits or lines at points at which the usual sprinkler heads are normally applied, these fittings having such individual sprinkler heads connected directly thereon in communication with the respective liquid fiow lines, which are thus normally sealed by the usual and conventional fusible link-controlled shut-01f seat of the sprinkler head.

It is another object to provide a sprinkler system as described, in which the fitting has simple adjusting provisions enabling the pressurized liquid line to be communicated with atmosphere, or a suitable receiver, for

flushing of the line at the individual fitting or fittings, as

desired. Thus, in accordance with the invention, the litting is in the form of a simple, two-piece construction, comprising an external tubular body adapted to be threadedly connected in the liquid line, and a tubular adjusting element coaxially received in the body for rotative adjustment in the latter, the adjusting element in turn threadedly receiving a nipple or like coupling element which connects the sprinkler head to the fitting.

More specifically, it is an object of the invention to provide a sprinkler flushing system, and an improved flushing fitting as a component thereof, in which the body of. the fitting has, in addition to a cylindrical chamber receiving the tubular adjusting element, a nipple or like coupling formation adapted to be connected to the liquid line and providing a passage opening axially upwardly to the bore of the adjusting element. The fitting body has a radially opening discharge passage or port and the adjusting element has a radial passage or port adapted to be aligned with this port, upon rotative adjustment, for flushing through the latter. As indicated above, the bore of the adjusting element communicates axially and upwardly with a sprinkler head applied to the fitting, and is normally sealed by the head.

Thus, with the fitting adjustable in a normally closed position interrupting communication of its port and the lateral body passage, the fitting maintains liquid pressure in the sprinkler line under control of its heat-fusible element, just as in a conventional installation lacking the improved fitting; and with the fitting rotated to communicate the port and body passage, the liquid line may be flushed up to the sprinkler without interrupting the setting or pressure containing action of the sprinkler head.

Another object is to provide a combination of sprinkler head and adjustable fitting adapted to be applied to fire protection sprinkler systems in the manner described above.

In general, it is an object to provide an improved sprinkler flushing system and adjustable fitting or fitting and sprinkler head subcombination thereof, which is readily and quickly installed initially by plant protection personnel, without requiring that liquid pressure be shut off generally in the system for this purpose; which afiords full protection at all times because the conventional sprinkler head is applied thereto at all times; which may be varied widely, as to'the location of the fitting in relation to the system, i.e., at and in combination with the individual sprinkler heads of the latter at the zones normally occupied by such heads in a usual system, or at the end of a main header or branch line or, instead of in association with a sprinkler head, in association with a gauge or meter to read existing pressure prior to or during flushing.

The task of periodically flushing out factory and like overhead, fire prevention sprinkling systems in factories, office buildings and other installations has in the past been time consuming as well as involving an element of danger, in that it has required the removal of the individual sprinkler heads for flushing to void the same of foreign matter and the like. This entailed a major shutdown of the system and the services of pipe fitters or plumbers at a high wage rate to do the work, during the period of which the building was in large measure unprotected.

Underwriters specifications require that such flushing be carried out once yearly, and cost of the operation in a fairly small industrial plant is of the order of $87,000.00.

It has been proposed to employ certain types of valve controlled flushing systems, using, for example, manually operated globe valves, but such arrangements are not generally permitted under Underwriters specifications. Moreover, extensive valve operation is involved, as well as extensive loss of fire protection during shut-off periods. Therefore, the invention proposes the use of an improved flushing system not subject to the drawbacks referred to, and having the further advantages outlined in the above paragraphs.

The foregoing as well as other objects will become more apparent as this description proceeds, especially when considered in connection with the accompanying drawing illustrating the invention, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary view in side elevation illustrating the fitting and other components of the invention as employed in a typical overhead fire protection sprinkler system, a sealing cap being shown in dot-dash line as applied to the fitting;

FIG. 2 is a view of the sprinkler head and flushing fitting unit of FIG. 1, as viewed from the right of that figure;

FIG. 3 isa view in axial section through the flushing fitting, as along line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary schematic view in side elevation showing a number of sprinkler head and fitting units as typically applied according to the invention to an overhead sprinkler line; and

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of an installation involving main or header and branch liquid lines to which the improvement is applied.

As illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, the invention may be typically applied to an overhead fire protection sprinkler system 10, conventionally including a main header or conduit 11 feeding (through suitable fittings or couplings not shown) a plurality of branch lines 12, 13, 14 and 15.

The reference numeral 16 generally designates a sprinkler head and flushing fitting unit in accordance with the invention, the composition of which will be hereinafter described. As indicated in FIGS. 4 and 5, these fittings may be applied at suitably spaced points along the branch lines or conduits 12 through 15, and, if desired, one or more of such lines (as the line 13) may have one of the units 16 applied thereto as a terminal unit, in which position it is actually a terminal part of the branch line,

with the line pressure contained by a sprinkler head applied to the fitting. Such terminal unit may be employed in It further association with a pressure or flow meter 18, in a manner and for a purpose to be described.

Referring now to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the combined sprinkler head and flushing fitting 16 is adapted to be connected into one of the lines by means of a conventional T 19. Unit 16 comprises a flushing fitting 20 of the character best shown in FIG. 3, this fitting preferably comprising an external body 21 which is of hollow tubular character, providing a flow passage 22 through an integral threaded nipple or connecting element 23 which is threadedly received in the upright leg 24 (FIGS. 1 and 2) of the T 19.

The fitting body 21 is counterbored in axial alignment with and above the passage 22 to provide a cylindrical chamber 25, within which a tubular adjusting and control element 26 of cylindrical cross section is axially received. The body 20 is internally threaded and the adjusting element 24 is externally threaded for threaded engagement at 27, and a suitable O-ring or packing 28 is applied to the element 26 to seal it against escape of pressure liquid between its outer surface and the wall of body 21.

Fitting body 21 is also provided with a flushing discharge passage or outlet 30 opening radially through an integral connector or nipple portion 31 thereof, which portion is externally threaded for attachment to a suitable flushing discharge line or the like. If desired or needed, an internally threaded sealing cap C, shown in dot-dash line in FIG. 1, may be removably applied to nipple 31 to prevent possible minor drippage at the exterior of the fitting. The adjusting or control element 26 of the fitting is provided with a flushing port 32 opening radially from its bore 33. This port is of the same diameter as the flushing discharge passage 30 of body 21, and, with the adjusting member 26 threadedly received in the body in operative position, the port 32 is substantially aligned in the radial sense with the port or passage 30. Actually, the threading of body 21 is pitched so that one-half turn of the adjusting element 26 in a given direction will bring the port 32 from its shut-off position shown in FIG. 3 into true alignment with flushing discharge passage 30 of body 21. In the shut-off position, the lower end of control or adjusting member 26 is in axial abutment against an internal annular shoulder of body member 21, so that an attendant may know that a half turn away from this position sets the fitting for full volume flushing. Conversely, with the tubular control member in such full open flushing position, the attendant will know that it reaches full shut-oil position when turned to a stop in the opposite direction. Adjusting element 26 is provided at its upper end with a hex formation 35 to receive a suitable wrench by which the adjustment is made, and is internally tapped at 36 to receive the sprinkler head of the unit 16, which head is generally designated by the reference numeral 37.

Sprinkler head 37 is entirely conventional in nature. It comprises an annular ring or lyre member 38 integral with a tubular threaded base 39 which is applied tightly to the tapped opening 36 of fitting adjusting element 26. A seat or plug 40 and associated sealing disk 41 normally close the top of tubular base 39, under force sustained by the conventional fusible link unit 42 disposed between the head 40 and the top of the lyre or ring member 38. Unit 42 is maintained in this position by the fusible link device 43, in an entirely conventional manner.

It is seen from the above that, in the normal condition of the fitting 20, with its adjusting element 26 positioned to seal off flushing discharge port 30 (FIG. 3), line pressure remains in open communication through fitting 20 with sprinkler head 37. When it is desired to flush out the system, the individual sprinkler head-flushing fittings 16 may be individually manipulated, by rotating the element 26 180, and without entailing any shut down of the system, to void the same through the aligned port 32 and discharge passage 30. This may be done individually for each sprinkler head, or for a number of heads at the 1 same time, without entailing any loss of fire protection during the procedure.

If desired, and as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, the discharge nipple or connector 31 of one or several fittings, applied, for example, at the end of a branch line 13, may be appropriately connected, as through an L 44 and flexible conduit 45, with a pressure or flow meter 46 (in the latter case under control of a valve 47), in order to enable pressure or flow rate to be directly read at the meter 46 as an indication of the condition of the liquid line in question. When flushing or testing has been finished, the adjusting element 26 of the fitting is restored to its initial condition, with its port 32 in diametrically opposed, remote relation to the flushing discharge passage 30. Acting as the terminal part of the branch conduit, the fitting 16 and its sprinkler head 37 seal the entire conduit, whether a meter is attached or not, and enable a periodic full length flushout of the latter in a moments time, and without requiring a shut-down of any part of the system.

The invention aflords a protective sprinkler head and fitting unit for a fire protection system which may be readily and efliciently installed at little cost and in a short time by plant protection employees, without need of extensive or even significant shut-oil, or no shut-off at all, required following the installation when the system is in use. Full fire protection is had at all times, and involved and extensive valve provisions for the purpose, usually violative of Underwriters standards, are not required.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. A protective flushing unit for application to a fire protection sprinkler system which includes a fluid pressure line, comprising a hollow fitting providing a flushing passage adapted to be communicated with the exterior of the fitting and a sprinkler passage to communicate with said fluid pressure line, and a heat releasable sprinkler head attached to said fitting in communication with said sprinkler passage and normally sealing the latter, said sprinkler passage being optionally communicable with said flushing passage, said fitting comprising a hollow body member through which said sprinker passage extends and in which said flushing passage is formed, and a tubular member in said body member whose bore at least in part provides said sprinkler passage, in which tubular member bore the fluid is held under pressure by the sealing action of said sprinkler head when said sprinkler and flushing passages are out of communication with one another, said body member and tubular member being rotatively adjustable relative to one another about a common axis, and said tubular member being provided with an opening at an angle to said axis adapted to be communicated with said flushing passage upon relative rotative adjustment of said members, one of said members having means for the attachment of the fitting to and in communciation with said fluid pressure line, the other member having means for attaching the sprinkler head to the fitting, said flushing and sprinkler passages having a flow capacity comparable to that of said fluid pressure line to which the fitting is attached.

2. A protective flushing unit for application to a fire protection sprinkler system which includes a fluid pressure line, comprising a hollow fitting having means to attach the same to and in communication with an outer end of said line so that the fitting when thus attached constitutes an extension of said pressure line, said fitting providing a flushing passage adapted to be communicated with the exterior of the fitting and a sprinkler passage to communicate with said fluid pressure line, and a heat releasable sprinkler head attached to said fitting in communication with said sprinkler passage and normally sealing the latter, said sprinkler passage being optionally communicable with said flushing passage, said fitting comprising a hollow body member through which said sprinkler passage extends and in which said flushing passage is formed, and a tubular member in said body memher whose bore at least in part provides said sprinkler passage, in which tubular member bore the fluid is held under pressure by the sealing action of said sprinkler head when said sprinkler and flushing passages are out of communication with one another, said tubular member being rotatively adjustable in said body member about the axis of the tubular member and being provided with an opening at an angle to said axis adapted to be communicated with said flushing passage upon said rotative adjustment of said member, said body member having means for the attachment of the fitting to and in communication with said fluid pressure line, said tub-ular member carrying said means for attaching the sprinkler head to the fitting.

t3. A flushing unit in accordance with claim 2, in which said tubular and body members are threadedly connected to one another for the rotative adjustment of the former in the latter.

4. A flushing unit in accordance with claim 2, in which said tubular and body members are threadedly connected to one another for the rotative adjustment of the former in the latter, said tubular member axially abutting the body member to terminate the rotative adjustment upon a fractional turn of the tubular member in one direction.

5. A flushing unit in accordance with claim 2, in which the cross sectional flow capacity of said sprinkler and flushing passages approximates that of said fluid pressure line.

6. A sprinkler system comprising a pressure conduit having branch lines in communication therewith to supply fluid under pressure to a plurality of elevated sprinkler zones, and protective sprinkler units applied to the ends of at least some of said branch lines as terminal extensions of the latter at said respective zones, each of said units comprising a hollow fitting body through which a sprinkler passage extends, said fitting body being connected to the branch line end with said passage in communication with the line, said body providing a flushing passage to the exterior thereof which is adapted to be communicated with said sprinkler passage, a tubular control element the bore of which at least in part defines said sprinkler passage, said control element being received in said fitting body for rotative adjustment in the latter about the axis of said bore, and having an opening therein at an angle to said axis through which its interior is adapted to be communicated with said flushing passage upon rotative adjustment of said control element, and a heat controlled sprinkler head applied directly to said control element and normally sealing said sprinkler passage with fluid held under pressure in the bore of said control element by said sprinkler head, said flushing and sprinkler passages having a flow capacity comparable to that of the line to which the fitting body is connected.

7. A sprinkler system in accordance with claim 6, in which said fitting body is provided with means to connect the same to said branch line end and said control element has means by which said sprinkler head is applied directly thereto.

8. A sprinkler system in accordance with claim 6, in which said fitting body is provided with means to connect the same to said branch line end and said control element has means by which said sprinkler head is applied directly thereto, said control element being threadedly engaged with said fitting body for said rotative adjustment of the control element, and having axially abutting engagement with the body to terminate said adjustment upon a fractional turn of said control element, as between positions of the control element in which said opening thereof is and is not in communication with said flushing passage.

9. A protective flushing unit for application to a fire protection sprinkler system, comprising a hollow fitting providing a flushing passage adapted to be communicated with the exterior of the fitting and sprinkler passage to communicate with a fluid pressure line, and a heat releasable sprinkler head attached to said fitting in communication with said sprinkler passage and normally sealing the latter, said sprinkler passage being optionally communicable with said flushing passage, said fitting comprising a hollow body member through which Said sprinkler passage extends and in which said flushing passage is formed, and a tubular member in said body member whose bore at least in part provides said sprinkler passage, in which tubular member bore the fluid is held under pressure by the sealing action of said sprinkler head when said sprinkler and flushing passages are out of communication with one another, said tubular member being rotatively adjustable in said body member about the axis of the tubular member and being provided with an opening at an angle to said axis adapted to be communicated with said flushing passage upon said rotative adjustment of said member, said tubular and body members being threadly connected to one another for the rotative adjustment of the former in the latter.

10. A protective flushing unit for application to a fire protection sprinkler system, comprising a hollow fitting providing a flushing passage adapted to be communicated with the exterior of the fitting and a sprinkler passage to communicate with a fluid pressure line, and a heat releasable sprinkler head attached to said fitting in communication with said sprinkler passage and normally sealing the latter, said sprinkler passage being optionally communicable with said flushing passage; said fitting comprising a hollow body member through which said sprinkler passage extends and in which said flushing passage is formed, and a tubular member in said body member whose bore at least in part provides said sprinkler passage, in which tubular member bore the fluid is held under pressure by the sealing action of said sprinkler head when said sprinkler and flushing passages are out of communication with one another, said tubular member being rotatively adjustable in said body member about the axis of the tubular member and being provided with an opening at an angle to said axis adapted to be communicated with said flushing passage upon said rotative adjustment of said member, said tubular and body members being threadedly connected to one another for the rotative adjustment of the former in the latter, said tubular member axially abutting the body member to terminate the rotative adjustment upon a fractional turn of the tubular member in one direction.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 287,427 Evans Oct. 30, 1883 1,801,569 Phillips Apr. 21, 1931 1,875,233 Gewalt Aug. 30, 1932 FOREIGN PATENTS 13,076 Norway July 4, 1904 143,683 Austria Nov. 25, 1935 

